Pau: the last song of the Kaua’i ‘o’o by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy - ADVISABLE

Pau: the last song of the Kaua’i ‘o’o by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick, 2024. $19. 9781536219494

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Kaua’i ‘o’o arrived soon after Akuai became inhabitable, surviving for 1000’s of years.  The last one a male, was last seen in 1987 - officially becoming extinct that same year. 

Piedra and Joy renders the Kaua’i ‘o’o’s story into a beautiful heartbreak. Perfect for showing what human interference has done to the natural world as we spread and build without thought of consequences. I also love that this is a book about Polynesia - which is still very underrepresented in picture books. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS